Jeremiah 22:21 Meaning and Explanation
“I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God spoke warnings when the king was at peace, but the king stubbornly refused to listen from his youth onward.
The Context of Jeremiah 22:21
The king has consistently rejected God's word despite repeated opportunities to obey.
What Does Jeremiah 22:21 Mean?
The Lord emphasizes his patience: he addressed the king during prosperity, when there was time and opportunity to repent. The king's refusal—'I will not hear'—was both specific and habitual. The phrase 'from thy youth' indicates that obstinacy and disobedience to God have been the king's character throughout his life.
This portrayal justifies the severity of judgment: God has given repeated opportunity and gentle warning, but the king has consistently chosen to ignore the divine voice. The judgment is not precipitous but the result of long patterns of defiance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 22:21
What does Jeremiah 22:21 mean?
God spoke warnings when the king was at peace, but the king stubbornly refused to listen from his youth onward.
What is the context of Jeremiah 22:21?
The king has consistently rejected God's word despite repeated opportunities to obey.